ESXi Host Disconnected: License Expired error in vCenter

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

        The following symptoms may be observed in the vSphere environment:

• • Several ESXi hosts report an alert: "Disconnected from host. Reason: License expired."
  • Affected ESXi hosts and their resident Virtual Machines (VMs) appear as "Disconnected" in the vCenter Server inventory.

Note: While management connectivity is lost, existing Virtual Machines continue to run and remain powered on Disconnected hosts.

 

Environment

• VMware vSphere 7.x
• VMware vSphere 8.x

Cause

       This issue occurs when the license entitlement for an ESXi host or the vCenter Server itself has expired:

1. 1. ESXi Evaluation Expiry: Hosts operating with expired evaluation licenses will lose their management entitlement and disconnect from vCenter Server Disconnected from host. Reason: License expired.
   2. vCenter Server Expiry: If the vCenter Server license expires, it will cause all managed ESXi hosts to appear in a disconnected state, even if the individual host licenses are still valid

Resolution

1. Retrieve Your License Keys

1. 1. Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal.
   2. Navigate to the My Entitlements section to find your active vSphere or vCenter Server keys Multiple vCenters are showing that the hosts (and VMs) are disconnected.
   3. If the available keys do not match your required version, follow the steps in Upgrade and Downgrade VMware License Keys.
2. Add New Licenses in the vSphere Client
   
   1. In the vSphere Client, click on the hamburger menu on top left corner and click Administration.
   2. Expand Licensing and click Licenses.
   3. On the Licenses tab, click ADD.
   4. Enter one 25-character license key per line (format: #####-#####-#####-#####-#####) and click Next.
   5. On the Edit license names page, rename the licenses as appropriate and click Next.
   6. On the Ready to complete page, review the licenses and click Finish.
3.  Assign the License Key
   1. Navigate to the Assets tab within the Licensing menu.
   2. Select the vCenter Server systems or Hosts tab depending on which component requires licensing.
   3. Select the asset and click ASSIGN LICENSE.
   4. Choose the appropriate valid license key from the list and click OK. 
4. Reconnect the ESXi Hosts
   1. In the vSphere inventory, right-click the Disconnected ESXi host.
   2. Select Connection > Connect.
   3. The host should return to a "Connected" state and synchronize with vCenter Server Physical hosts listed as disconnected in cluster.

Additional Information

• How Do You Create a New License in the vSphere Client
• Changing an ESXi host's connection status in vCenter Server / unable to reconnect ESXi host back to vCenter Server
• ホストから切断されました。理由：ライセンスの期限切れ